Convertible trunk



(H0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. W. NEWELL. CONVERTIBLE TRUNK.

Patented Nov. 17, 1896.

(N0 Model.)

2 SheetsSheet 2. A. W. NEWELLL GONVERTIBLE TRUNK.

No. 571,681. Patented Nov. 1'7, 1896.

awe/mica witmomo a umoMwAsmNorM o c UNITED STATES PATENT QEEIQE.

AUGUSTUS N. NE'WELL, OF BRADFORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

CONVERTIBLE TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 571,681, dated November 17', 1896/ Application filed March 2, 1896. Serial N0. 581,505. (No model.

To a-ZZ where it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS W. NE WELL, of Bradford, in the county of McKean and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Trunks or Chests; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in convertible trunks or chests, and pertains to that class which are adapted to be unfolded to form a single or double cot or bed and at the same time adapted to receive clothing for transportation.

The object of my invention is to so construct a trunk or chest that it will unfold and rest directly upon the floor, ground, or other support, the same constructed in a manner to be very firm and strong when folded up and to give the greatest possible amount of length when unfolded.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of atrunk or chest embodying my invention, the same being closed ready for transportation. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the trunk shown in Fig. l, the same being unfolded to be used as a bed or cot and the trays which act as a mattress in position therein, the fabric portion of two of the trays being partly broken away. Fig. 3 is a detached enlarged perspective view of one of the trays. Fig. f is a transverse sectional view, somewhat enlarged, of Fig. 1. Fi g. 5 is a modification of the invention, the same being unfolded to give increased length compared with Figs. 1, 2, and at.

Referring now to the drawings, A indicates the top of the trunk or chest, 13 the back, and G the bottom. The top A is hinged at its rear edge to the upper edge of the back B, and the back 13 is hinged to the bottom G at its rear edge, the hinges in both instances being arranged to permit the top and back to fold outwardly, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The

ends D are divided upon the line to below the upper edge of the back, and the front is di vided upon a line in the same plane there with, forming a lower front portion Hand an upper front portion 1.

The trunk or chest will be provided with locks and other suitable securing devices at the front edge, as usual in such constructions. The line a, dividing the ends D into two portions, forms the upper small portions or wings e.

The back, ends, front, and bottom are provided with the strengthening beads or braces f, as shown in Fig. 2, and the back is provided with the transversely-extending strips 1', extending parallel with and separated from the beads or strips f a distance equal to the thickness of the wings e of the top. The object of this construction is to have the wings 6 fold inward between the beads or strips f and the strips 2', and when the back is folded into position the strips or beads f and iinclose the adjacent edges of the ends D, so that the back, top, and ends are firmly held in place when the trunk or chest is closed, as will be readily understood. For the purpose of bolding the front edge of the top firmly in position the strips 72, extend below the edge of the upper portion I at the front and the strips g at the front edge of the ends D are cut away, so that the projecting ends of the strips h are at the outer side of the ends D, which hold the front edge of the top firmly against lateral movement, as will be readily seen. At the inner sides of the ends are provided the hooks I), and the strips i or any other convenient portion at the back is provided with the eyelets a to receive the hooks I), which hold the back in position when the device is closed.

Thus far it will be seen that I have produced a very simple but strongly-constructed trunk or chest, which when unfolded opens out to form a bed or cot. Taking what would be termed a small trunk or chest, say approxiin' ately two feet deep, the unfolding of the top and back, together with the bottoin,would make a cot or bed six feet long, and this will be either a single or double bed or cot, according to the length of the trunk or chest. as will be readily understood. I

The trays S are so constructed as to form a mattress when reversed and placed as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the tray, showing it in the position which it assumes when placed in the trunk, as shown in Fig. 4. In this figure the trays are shown separated, in which position they would be held by the clothing or other articles placed between them, as will be readily understood. By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that they form a tray, and if desired the fabric t may extend up the sides to the side bars 3 and form a tray which will be entirely inclosed. These trays are very simple,as shown, consisting only of the end pieces r placed upon their edge, connected by the parallel strips 8, secured to the edges of the strips r at their ends. This makes a very light structure and yet one which when turned with the fabric portion up, as shown in Fig. 2, forms a comfortable bed or cot.

In Fig. 5 I show a modification whereby a smaller trunk or chest will fold outward and produce a cot or bed of sufficient length. The modification here shown consists in hin ging the ends D to the bottom G in a manner which will permit them to fold inward, as shown in Fig. 5, and in hinging the top H at its lower edge to the front edge of the bottom G, so that it will fold outward, as shown in said figure. In this instance the front H is provided with the parallel strips q, similar to the strips i of the back B, which will receive the front edges of the sides D when the front is folded in position. There are provided hooks I), which catch in eyes it in the same manner as the hooks I) catch in the eyes it upon the back B. By means of the con struction shown in Fig. 5 a much smaller chest or trunk can be made of sufficient length when unfolded to form a cot or bed.

A trunk or chest as herein shown and described is especially adapted for persons traveling, civil engineers, and camping parties,

affording a light, strong,and convenient structure, capable of being quickly and readily converted into a bed or cot and as readily closed to receive clothes or other articles.

If desired the trunk or chest may be always constructed as shown in Fig. 5, but when being used for a child or short person need only have its back and top unfolded, as shown in Fig. 2, yet having the capacity to have its ends and front unfolded, as shown in Fig. 5, for a tall or grown person, as will be readily understood.

. Having thus fully described my invention, what-I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A convertible trunk or chest comprising a back hinged at its lower edge to the rear edge of the bottom, a top hinged at its rear edge to the upper edge of the back,the hinges being adapted to permit the back and top to fold outward so as to be in a line or in the same plane with the bottom of the trunk or chest the top having end and side wings to form a foot, substantially as described.

2. A convertible trunk or chest comprising a back hinged at its lower edge to the rear edge of the bottom, a top hinged at its rear edge to the top of the back, the ends of the trunk or chest being divided on a line below the upper hinge-point of the back, and the strips g, h, being respectively cut away and projecting for the purpose of' preventing lateral movement of the front edge of the trunk, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AUGUSTUS W. NE WELL.

'Witnesses:

THos. Graces, AUG. W. NEWELL, Jr. 

